Foley, superintendent of schools, appointed head of board
Tim Foley, San Benito County’s superintendent of schools, is the
newest member of the board of directors for the San Benito Resource
Conservation District.
Foley, superintendent of schools, appointed head of board
Tim Foley, San Benito County’s superintendent of schools, is the newest member of the board of directors for the San Benito Resource Conservation District.
The Conservation District’s mission is to develop and facilitate programs that protect the resources of San Benito County. The emphasis is on water, soil and habitat management.
Staff implement federal farm bill programs on behalf of the United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA), said Kellie Guerra, a program specialist.
“We respond to the local needs for this federal agency so they have a local perspective,” Guerra said.
Board members for the Conservation District meet once per month and meetings are open to the public.
Foley is excited about his new position.
Conservation is something that has been important to Foley in his own life. Foley and his wife Nants own Quicksilver Ranch, five acres in the north end of the county.
They grow apricots, and raise Lipizzan horses and Navajo churro sheep. Both are endangered species.
Foley grew up on a 1,000-acre ranch in Coachella.
“When I was there, it was famous for being the hottest place,” Foley said.
His parents grew citrus fruit, grapes and row crops.
Running his own ranch has given Foley more sympathy for his father.
“I figured out why my father was the way he was,” Foley said. “I think five acres is a lot. I’m very glad that I don’t depend on the weather for my paycheck.”
Foley has owned Quicksilver Ranch for nearly eight years. He has been working with the Conservation District since 2005.
“We became aware of the movement towards sustainability of our resources,” Foley said, “and it really fits into the future of our county.”
Foley got involved with the Conservation District through their livestock and land program.
It helps horse farm owners manage their land to preserve soil and water resources, Guerra, said.
Staff provide technical and financial assistance.
Foley’s ranch is a demonstration site for techniques that can be used to preserve natural resources. Foley uses a manure bunker to turn manure into compost..
“We get 300 pounds of manure per day from horses,” Foley said.
Foley uses the compost from the manure bunker to fertilize his apricots, he said.
Conservation District staff have $60,000 for the livestock and land program and there are 10 applicants for the funding.
Staff are partnering with Sustainable Conservation, an environmental group, on a program that would simplify the permit process for landowners who want to implement conservation techniques.
“It makes it more enticing for the landowner to move forward with the conservation practices,” Guerra said. “The whole process can be scary.”
Staff has worked with local farmers to prevent soil erosion.
“We’ve been able to provide some assistance to growers with cover crops and hedgerow designs,” Guerra said.
Planting a cover crop on fallow land can help prevent topsoil loss.
“We are looking forward to doing more of that,” Guerra said.
They are looking for more funding, Guerra said.
Having Foley as a board member is a good opportunity to develop partnerships with local schools, Guerra said, of the district which has been in existence for 40 years.
“I’ve even had some interest from private businesses in how they can operate in a more environmentally friendly manner,” Guerra said. “We’ve been in talks with the high school because they have that new Ag. building coming.”
